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Whitney Portal
FSU.S. Forest Service — LONE PINE · California · Inyo National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Inyo National Forest |
| Location | LONE PINE · California · Inyo National Forest · 36.58986, -118.22978 · Map |
| Sites | 46 public sites counted from the federal listing — 26 standard nonelectric; 16 tent only nonelectric; 3 group tent only area nonelectric; 1 walk to |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 46 sites Water hookups at 0 of 46 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 46 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 46 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 35 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 9 sites · 30 ft: 4 sites · 35 ft: 1 sites · 40 ft: 0 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 2:00 PM · Out 11:00 AM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 47 sites, as reported |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 760-937-6070 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-09-01.
From the official listing
Overview Whitney Portal Campground is in a prime location within the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains - at the base of Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the continental United States.
With hiking trails to Mt. Whitney and the John Muir Wilderness less than a mile away, the campground is a popular home base for hikers, as well as family, RV and tent campers who wish to explore the area's activities and enjoy unparalleled scenery. Recreation Hikers are drawn to the majestic scenery and challenging trails of the Whitney Portal recreation area. Nearby trails lead into the John Muir Wilderness and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park.
The campground is only 0.5 miles from trailheads to Mt. Whitney, Meysan Lake and other popular destinations. Visitors should be aware that hiking in this area may require a permit.
Visitors can also hike, fish and picnic in the area around the campground. There are numerous lakes, streams and a small pond in the area for trout fishing. Facilities The campground is adjacent to Whitney Creek and just down the road from Trailhead Campground. Numerous campsites are arranged on either side of the creek, including three group camping areas and several tent-only sites. Paved roads, vault toilets and drinking water are provided.
Bears frequent the area, and campers are required to use the bear-proof food storage lockers provided in the facility (all supplies must fit; dimensions are 18 inches high, 18 inches deep and 50 inches long). Firewood is available for purchase on-site, and a small convenience store with showers is nearby. Natural Features The facility is situated in a thick pine forest at an elevation of 8,000 ft. Campers can see striking views of the rugged granite peaks surrounding it.
The area is home to abundant wildlife, including black bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine martin, pika and many species of fish and birds. This campground is especially prone to bear activity. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (602) 726-1102. Nearby Attractions Campers can enter the John Muir Wilderness, a land of lofty snow-capped mountains, deep canyons and vast expanses of glacially carved terrain, via nearby trails. Mt. Whitney is within the wilderness area and entry is available by lottery for experienced hikers.
John Muir Wilderness
Directions, from the listing
From U.S. Highway 395 in California, travel to the town of Lone Pine. The campground is 13 miles west of Lone Pine on Whitney Portal Road.
Nearest federal campgrounds
3 mi straight-line · LONE PINE CaliforniaBLMBureau of Land ManagementTuttle Creek Campground
6 mi straight-line · CaliforniaFSU.S. Forest ServiceGrays Meadows
13 mi straight-line · CaliforniaFSU.S. Forest ServiceOnion Valley
14 mi straight-line · CaliforniaNPSNational Park ServiceCold Springs Campground (CA)
23 mi straight-line · Three Rivers California
Trip Card — Whitney Portal
LONE PINE · California · Inyo National Forest
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | LONE PINE · California · Inyo National Forest |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Up to 35 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 46 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232123 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.